local bus to Rotorua from Tauranga

[2morrow]

Does any one know if you can take a local bus from Tauranga to Rotorua to see Te Puia?

Barb

[cjm66]

Does any one know if you can take a local bus from Tauranga to Rotorua to see Te Puia?

Barb

 

There is an intercity bus service but as a local said on a different thread this option may no work for a cruise passenger due to the limited services - two a day. You will also need to get from the bus terminus in Auckland by bus to Te Puia - there is one but not it is not marked Te Puia. A sensible option for land based tourists but not for cruisers with a set departure time.

 

http://www.intercity.co.nz/timetable/lookup/trg

 

There is lots of competitiion for private coach tours from Tauranga to Te Puia and other thermal areas, farms etc. We prefer to hire a car but many others did use private companies and reported favourably - much less expensive than a ship's tour. Check out this thread

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1538965

 

And perhaps repost asking for recommendations for an independent tour from Tauranga.

 

Enjoy your day - it is an easy port because you dock right in the middle of the small town and all the tour operators collect from the I site just outside the wharf gates - no shuttles required.

 

Colleen

[Aquarians]

Does any one know if you can take a local bus from Tauranga to Rotorua to see Te Puia?

Barb

kia ora,

Not really. The Port of Tauranga is at Mount Maunganui which is situated a short drive over the water to Tauranga. There is a 'workers bus' between Rotorua & Tauranga (plus inter city buses) but you would be faced with the difficulty of getting into Tauranga first and then getting to Te Puia once you arrived in Rotorua( plus of course timetabling!). Joining a tour group or taking a rental vehicle (if you are up to driving on the left hand side of the road) would be my suggestion. Rotorua is about one hours drive from Tauranga. I liken missing Rotorua as akin to docking at Civitavecchia without seeing Rome. www.rotorua.co.nz may help.

Aquarians

[Kiwi Kruzer]

As said above, there are busses that service that run, but the timetabling would be way out of line for a one day cruise ship call.

You best bet is to book a local tour operator if you want a small group tour , or go with the ships tours. Driving is an option ,.... if you are used to our road conditions.

When the big ships call with around 3,000 passengers, all wanting to go to Rotorua on the one day, tours can sell out.It would pay to select and book one early. This also applies to the ship tours. Nothing worse than boarding a ship and upon visiting the tour office , finding out that all the best tours are SOLD OUT.